Unionist Forum not doing its job

Last week Jim Allister, leader of the TUV, submitted his withdrawal from the Unionist Forum. He stated that it had failed to achieve anything of substance and this had led to public cynicism of the Forum.

Last week Jim Allister, leader of the TUV, submitted his withdrawal from the Unionist Forum. He stated that it had failed to achieve anything of substance and this had led to public cynicism of the Forum.

One thing that Mr Allister noticed whilst on the committee was the fact that members of the group learned about the Cardiff talks from the media first, not political representatives. This lack of transparency, coupled with the hidden tactics of DUP/Sinn Fein, caused great concern. This was clearly demonstrated last month when the DUP and Sinn Fein announced their own proposals on flags and parades.

The most prominent point of concern for the TUV is the proposed project at the Maze prison site. They have called for the current “Conflict Transformation Centre” to be reconsidered and for the existing buildings to be de-listed and demolished. This was raised at a sub-group of the Forum yet was not addressed.